U.S. patent application number 12/303175 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-08 for belt for shoe press.
This patent application is currently assigned to ICHIKAWA CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Tomoyuki Kawamata.
Application Number | 20090250184 12/303175 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38801427 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090250184 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kawamata; Tomoyuki |
October 8, 2009 |
BELT FOR SHOE PRESS
Abstract
A belt (4) for a shoe press is disposed for rotational movement
between a press roll (2) and a shoe (3). The belt (4) includes a
shoe-side layer (21), a base layer (22) disposed on an outer
circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer (21), and a wet
paper web-side layer (25) disposed on an outer circumferential
surface of the base layer (22). The base layer (22) has a pair of
reinforcing bases (11). The reinforcing layers (11) are disposed
circumferentially in a warpwise direction in given regions (E1)
corresponding respectively to shoe edges (10) on the opposite sides
in a widthwise direction of the shoe (3). The rigidity of belt
portions of shoe edge abutment regions (E1) on opposite sides in
the widthwise direction of the shoe (3) is partially increased to
increase bending stresses and crack resistance of the belt.
Inventors: |
Kawamata; Tomoyuki; ( Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KRATZ, QUINTOS & HANSON, LLP
1420 K Street, N.W., Suite 400
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
ICHIKAWA CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
38801427 |
Appl. No.: |
12/303175 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
June 4, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2007/061269 |
371 Date: |
December 2, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
162/358.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D21G 1/0066 20130101;
D21F 3/0227 20130101; Y10S 162/901 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
162/358.4 |
International
Class: |
D21F 3/00 20060101
D21F003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 5, 2006 |
JP |
2006-155612 |
Claims
1. A belt (4, 4a through 4d) for a shoe press, which is adapted to
be disposed for rotational movement between a press roll (2) of a
shoe press mechanism (1, 1a) and a shoe (3) above or below the
press roll (2), said belt (4, 4a through 4d) for a shoe press
comprising: a shoe-side layer (21) held in contact with said shoe
(3), a base layer (22, 22a) disposed on an outer circumferential
surface of said shoe-side layer (21), and a wet paper web-side
layer (25) disposed on an outer circumferential surface of said
base layer (22, 22a); wherein said base layer (22, 22a) have a pair
of reinforcing bases (11, 11a), and said reinforcing bases (11,
11a) are disposed circumferentially in a warpwise direction in
given regions corresponding respectively to shoe edges (10) on the
opposite sides in a widthwise direction of said shoe (3).
2. A belt for a shoe press according to claim 1, wherein said
reinforcing bases (11, 11a) are disposed on one or both of the
outer and inner circumferential surfaces of said base layer (22,
22a).
3. A belt for a shoe press according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said
reinforcing bases (11) are disposed in only shoe edge abutment
regions (E1) held in abutment against said shoe edges (10) of the
belt (4, 4a, 4c, 4d) for a shoe press.
4. A belt for a shoe press according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said
reinforcing bases (11a) are disposed in both shoe edge abutment
regions (E1) held in abutment against said shoe edges (10) of the
belt (4b) for a shoe press and end regions (E2) including ends (9)
in a weftwise direction of the belt (4b) for a shoe press.
5. A belt for a shoe press according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said
wet paper web-side layer (25) has a plurality of grooves (24)
defined in the warpwise direction in a surface thereof, and said
grooves (24) have a curved cross-sectional shape.
6. A belt for a shoe press according to claim 5, wherein of said
grooves (24) defined in the belt (4c), the grooves (24) positioned
in the vicinity of said shoe edges (10) have a curved
cross-sectional shape, or all said grooves (24) have a curved
cross-sectional shape.
7. A belt for a shoe press according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
grooves (24) defined in the warpwise direction in the surface of
said wet paper web-side layer (25) of the belt (4d) are not defined
in shoe edge abutment regions (E1) on the opposite sides in the
widthwise direction of said shoe (3), but are defined in portions
other than the regions (E1).
8. A belt for a shoe press according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said
reinforcing bases (11, 11a) comprise grid members (30) made up of
warp yarns (31a) and weft yarns (31b) arranged in a grid pattern
and joined to each other at crossings (31c), and wherein said base
layer (22, 22a) comprises, a main body (27) comprising a grid
member (30) made up of warp yarns (31a) and weft yarns (31b)
arranged in a grid pattern and joined to each other at crossings
(31c), said reinforcing bases (11, 11a) comprising said grid
members (30), and a yarn-wound layer (33) disposed on an outer or
inner circumferential surface of said grid members (30) and made up
of a helically wound yarn (32).
9. A belt for a shoe press according to claim 8, wherein said
reinforcing bases (11, 11a) employ grid members (30) which are
identical to or different from the grid member of said main body
(27) of said base layer (22).
10. A belt for a shoe press according to claim 9, wherein said grid
member (30) of said main body (27) and said grid members (30) of
said reinforcing base (11) are different from each other in a first
case wherein said grid members (30) have different meshes, a second
case wherein said grid members (30) have warp yarns (31a) of
different thicknesses, a third case wherein said grid members (30)
have weft yarns (31b) of different thicknesses, and a combination
of two or all of the first through third cases.
11. A belt for a shoe press according to claim 8, wherein said grid
members (30) are disposed in a plurality of layers, and portions,
in which the ends in the widthwise direction of the grid members
(30) overlap each other, or portions, in which the ends are spaced
from each other or are held in abutment against each other, are not
disposed in the same position across the layers.
12. A belt for a shoe press according to claim 8, wherein said weft
yarns (31b) of said grid members (30) are less liable to wear than
said warp yarns (31a) thereof.
13. A belt for a shoe press according to claim 12, wherein said
warp yarns (31a) comprise twisted yarns or spun yarns made of
inorganic fiber such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, or the like, or
natural fiber such as cotton, or synthetic fiber, and said weft
yarns (31b) comprise twisted yarns of synthetic fiber having a high
modulus and a high coefficient of elasticity such as of nylon,
polyethylene terephthalate, aromatic polyamide, aromatic polyimide,
high-strength polyethylene, or the like, or polyester
multifilament, or spun yarns of polyester cotton.
14. A belt for a shoe press according to claim 13, wherein said
synthetic fiber is made of polyester cotton, polyester
multifilament, acrylic cotton, or acrylic multifilament.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a belt for shoe press for
used in a shoe press mechanism for papermaking.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Papermaking machines for removing water from paper material
comprise a wire part, a press part and a drier part. The wire part,
the press part and the drier part are arranged in the order named
along the direction in which a wet paper web is fed.
[0003] The press part includes a press comprising a plurality of
press mechanisms arranged in series along the direction in which
the wet paper web is fed.
[0004] In the papermaking machine, the wet paper web is
successively transferred to and fed by wet paper web feed belts,
which are disposed respectively in the wire part, the press part
and the drier part and are made of water absorbing felt. The wet
paper web is pressed by the press mechanisms of the press part to
squeeze water therefrom, and then is dried in the drier part.
[0005] The press mechanisms include a roll press mechanism and a
shoe press mechanism. The roll press mechanism is a mechanism
having rolls for sandwiching and pressing wet paper web feed belts
which hold the wet paper web. The shoe press mechanism is a
mechanism having a press roll and a shoe for sandwiching and
pressing wet paper web feed belts which hold the wet paper web.
[0006] The shoe press mechanism has a pressing section (nipping
section) having a greater pressing zone than the roll press
mechanism. As a result, the shoe press mechanism is advantageous in
that it has a longer pressing time for a better water squeezing
capability, and hence has been finding wide use in recent
years.
[0007] The present applicant has proposed a shoe press belt for use
in shoe press mechanisms (Japanese laid-open patent publication No.
2005-307421). The shoe press belt is an endless belt comprising a
base layer, a wet paper web-side layer and a shoe-side layer, and
is disposed for rotational movement between the press roll and the
shoe of the shoe press mechanism.
[0008] The shoe press belt disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent
publication No. 2005-307421 and other general shoe press belts are
disposed between the press roll and the shoe of the shoe press
mechanism, and runs in the warpwise direction (MD direction:
rotational direction) with the belt having a shoe abutment surface
held in contact with the upper surface of the shoe.
[0009] The dimension (belt weftwise dimension) of the shoe press
belt in the widthwise direction (CMD direction) thereof is greater
than the dimension (shoe weftwise dimension) of the shoe in the
widthwise direction thereof. The shoe press belt is driven to run
by the power transmitted through the wet paper web feed belt as the
press roll is actuated. As a result, when the shoe press belt moves
through the pressing section, it is subjected to a shearing stress
(a type of bending stress).
[0010] Consequently, there has been a demand for a technology for
preventing the shoe press belt from cracking (particularly cracking
in the warpwise direction) due to fatigue even when the shoe press
belt undergoes repetitive bending deformation in the pressing
section over a long period of time.
Patent document 1: Japanese laid-open patent publication No.
2005-307421
[0011] The present invention has been made in efforts to solve the
above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide
a belt for a shoe press which has belt portions in predetermined
regions corresponding respectively to shoe edges on opposite sides
in the widthwise direction of a shoe. The belt portions are
partially increased in rigidity to increase the bending stress and
crack resistance of the belt for suppressing bending deformations
and for preventing the belt from cracking for improved
durability.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0012] To achieve the above object, a belt according to the present
invention is a belt for a shoe press adapted to be disposed for
rotational movement between a press roll of a shoe press mechanism
and a shoe above or below the press roll. The belt for the shoe
press comprises a shoe-side layer held in contact with the shoe, a
base layer disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the
shoe-side layer, and a wet paper web-side layer disposed on an
outer circumferential surface of the base layer. The base layer has
a pair of reinforcing bases. The reinforcing bases are disposed
circumferentially in a warpwise direction in given regions
corresponding respectively to shoe edges on the opposite sides in a
widthwise direction of the shoe.
[0013] For example, the reinforcing bases are disposed on one or
both of the outer and inner circumferential surfaces of the base
layer.
[0014] According to an example, the reinforcing bases are disposed
in only shoe edge abutment regions held in abutment against the
shoe edges of the belt for a shoe press. According to another
example, the reinforcing bases are disposed in both shoe edge
abutment regions held in abutment against the shoe edges of the
belt for a shoe press and end regions including ends in a weftwise
direction of the belt for a shoe press.
[0015] Preferably, the wet paper web-side layer has a plurality of
grooves defined in the warpwise direction in a surface thereof, and
the grooves have a curved cross-sectional shape. According to an
example, of the grooves defined in the belt, the grooves positioned
in the vicinity of the shoe edges have a curved cross-sectional
shape, or all the grooves have a curved cross-sectional shape.
According to another example, the grooves defined in the warpwise
direction in the surface of the wet paper web-side layer of the
belt are not defined in shoe edge abutment regions on the opposite
sides in the widthwise direction of the shoe, but are defined in
portions other than the regions.
[0016] Preferably, the reinforcing bases comprise grid members made
up of warp yarns and weft yarns arranged in a grid pattern and
joined to each other at crossings. The base layer comprises a main
body comprising a grid member made up of warp yarns and weft yarns
arranged in a grid pattern and joined to each other at crossings,
the reinforcing bases comprising the grid members, and a yarn-wound
layer disposed on an outer or inner circumferential surface of the
grid members and made up of a helically wound yarn.
[0017] Preferably, the reinforcing bases employ grid members which
are identical to or are different from the grid member of the main
body of the base layer.
[0018] The grid member of the main body and the grid members of the
reinforcing bases are different from each other in a first case
wherein the grid members have different meshes, a second case
wherein the grid members have warp yarns of different thicknesses,
a third case wherein the grid members have weft yarns of different
thicknesses, and a combination of two of the first through third
cases.
[0019] Preferably, the grid members are disposed in a plurality of
layers, and portions in which the ends in the widthwise direction
of the grid members overlap each other or portions, in which the
ends are spaced from each other or are held in abutment against
each other, are not disposed in the same position across the
layers.
[0020] Preferably, the weft yarns of the grid members are less
liable to wear than the warp yarns thereof. The warp yarns comprise
twisted yarns or spun yarns made of inorganic fiber such as carbon
fiber, glass fiber, or the like, or natural fiber such as cotton,
or synthetic fiber. The weft yarns comprise twisted yarns of
synthetic fiber having a high modulus and a high coefficient of
elasticity such as of nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, aromatic
polyamide, aromatic polyimide, high-strength polyethylene, or the
like, or polyester multifilament, or spun yarns of polyester
cotton.
[0021] The synthetic fiber is made of polyester cotton, polyester
multifilament, acrylic cotton, or acrylic multifilament.
[0022] The belt for a shoe press according to the present invention
is constructed as described above. Therefore, the rigidity of the
belt portions in the given regions corresponding respectively to
the shoe edges on the opposite sides in the widthwise direction of
the shoe is partially increased. As a result, the belt has an
increased bending stress and increased crack resistance to suppress
bending deformations and to prevent itself from cracking for
improved durability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIGS. 1 through 17 are views illustrative of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general structure of
a shoe press mechanism;
[0025] FIGS. 2 through 11 are views illustrative of an embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the
shoe press mechanism;
[0026] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion III of FIG. 2,
showing a cross section of a belt for a shoe press;
[0027] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of a grid member of the
belt for the shoe press;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a view illustrative of a process for manufacturing
the belt for the shoe press;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a set of views showing step 1 of forming a
shoe-side layer, and FIGS. 6(A), 6(B) are a side elevational view
and a perspective view, respectively;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a view showing step 2 of providing a base layer,
and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a step of placing the grid
member in step 2;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a step of providing a
reinforcing base in step 2;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a step of forming a
yarn-wound layer in step 2;
[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a step of joining the
formed yarn-wound layer in step 2;
[0034] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view showing a step of
separating the belt for the shoe press from a mandrel;
[0035] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3,
and shows a belt for a shoe press according to a first
modification;
[0036] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2,
and shows a shoe press mechanism employing a belt for a shoe press
according to a second modification;
[0037] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3,
and shows a belt for a shoe press according to a third
modification;
[0038] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3,
and shows a belt for a shoe press according to a fourth
modification;
[0039] FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an experimental apparatus for
checking crack resistance and wear property; and
[0040] FIG. 17 is a schematic view of an experimental apparatus for
checking bending stresses.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0041] Belts for shoe presses according to the present invention
will be described below.
[0042] FIGS. 1 through 17 are views illustrative of the present
invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general structure
of a shoe press mechanism. FIGS. 2 through 11 are views
illustrative of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a
cross-sectional view of the shoe press mechanism. FIG. 3 is an
enlarged view of a portion III of FIG. 2, and shows a cross section
of a belt for a shoe press.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, a shoe press mechanism 1
comprises a press roll 2 and a shoe 3 disposed below (or above) the
press roll 2. A belt 4 for a shoe press (hereinafter referred to as
"belt 4") is disposed for rotational movement between the press
roll 2 and the shoe 3. A plurality of shoe press mechanisms 1 are
arranged in series along the direction in which a wet paper web 5
is fed, thereby providing a press part of a papermaking
machine.
[0044] The shoe press mechanism 1 employs the endless belt 4
movably disposed between the press roll 2 and the shoe 3. The shoe
press mechanism 1 may be an open-type shoe press mechanism with the
belt 4 being wound around a plurality of rolls or a
press-sleeve-type shoe press mechanism with the belt 4 being guided
and supported by a hollow guide shell.
[0045] A wet paper web feed belt 6 made of water absorbing felt and
the wet paper web 5 supported thereon are fed in the same direction
at substantially the same speed. In a pressing section (nipping
section) 8, the wet paper web 5 is positioned on the belt 4 and
pressed by the press roll 2 and the shoe 3. As a result, water in
the wet paper web 5 is squeezed and absorbed by the wet paper web
feed belt 6, and part of the water flows through grooves 24 in the
belt 4 and is discharged out.
[0046] The belt 4 is used in the press-sleeve-type shoe press
mechanism. The belt 4 is subject to stricter conditions such as a
higher papermaking rate, a higher nipping pressure in the pressing
section 8, and a greater number of nipping actions than a belt used
in the open-type shoe press mechanism. Therefore, the belt 4 is
strongly required to have increased durability by the user.
[0047] In the pressing section 8, the belt 4 is positioned between
an upper surface 7 of the shoe 3 and the wet paper web feed belt 6
which supports the wet paper web 5, and is run in the warpwise
direction (MD direction). The dimension (belt weftwise dimension
W1) of the belt 4 in the widthwise direction (the weftwise
direction: CMD direction) thereof is greater than the dimension
(shoe weftwise dimension W2) of the shoe 3 in the widthwise
direction (weftwise direction) thereof.
[0048] Therefore, the belt 4 has its opposite weftwise ends 9
extending outwardly, and is held in contact with the upper surface
7 of the shoe 3 from one shoe edge 10 in the weftwise direction to
the other shoe edge 10 in the weftwise direction.
[0049] As a result, the belt 4 can be divided into a central region
E, a pair of shoe edge abutment regions E1 positioned outwardly of
the central region E, and a pair of end regions E2. The end regions
E2 are positioned outwardly of the shoe edge abutment regions E1
and include the weftwise ends 9 of the belt 4.
[0050] In the central region E1, the belt 4 is held in contact with
the upper surface 7 of the shoe 3. The shoe edges 10 are positioned
in the shoe edge abutment regions E1. The belt 4 in the region E1
is held in contact with the upper surface 7 of the shoe 3 toward
the center from the shoe edges 10, but is not held in contact with
the upper surface 7 outside of the shoe edges 10. As the shoe 3 is
not present in the end regions E2, the belt 4 is not held in
contact with the shoe 3 in the regions E2.
[0051] The belt 4 comprises a shoe-side layer 21 held in contact
with the shoe 3, a base layer 22 disposed on an outer
circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer 21, and a wet paper
web-side layer 25 disposed on an outer circumferential surface of
the base layer 22. The wet paper web-side layer 25 has a plurality
of grooves 24, for discharging water, which are defined in a
surface 23 thereof and extend in the warpwise direction (the MD
direction). The wet paper web-side layer 25 may alternatively have
no grooves.
[0052] The base layer 22 has a pair of reinforcing bases 11. The
reinforcing bases 11 are disposed in given regions (in the present
embodiment, the shoe edge abutment regions E1) corresponding
respectively to the shoe edges 10 on the opposite sides in the
widthwise direction of the shoe 3, and extend circumferentially in
the warpwise direction (the MD direction).
[0053] Since the belt 4 has the reinforcing bases 11, the rigidity
of the belt portions in the given regions (in the present
embodiment, the shoe edge abutment regions E1) corresponding
respectively to the shoe edges 10 on the opposite sides in the
widthwise direction of the shoe 3 is partially increased.
[0054] Consequently, the belt 4 has an increased bending stress to
suppress bending deformations and also has increased crack
resistance to prevent itself from cracking (particularly cracking
in the warpwise direction) for improved durability.
[0055] The reinforcing bases 11 are disposed on one or both of an
outer circumferential surface (on the side of the press roll 2) and
an inner circumferential surface (on the side of the shoe 3) of the
base layer 22 (in the present embodiment, the outer circumferential
surface). The reinforcing bases 11 should preferably be disposed on
the outer circumferential surface of the base layer 22 as with the
present embodiment.
[0056] Specifically, when the wet paper web-side layer 25 is to be
formed on the outer circumferential surface of the base layer 22,
the reinforcing bases 11 have been wound and supported
circumferentially on the base layer 22. Therefore, the wet paper
web-side layer 25 can be stably formed on the outer circumferential
surface of the base layer 22. If the grooves 24 are formed in the
wet paper web-side layer 25 within the shoe edge abutment regions
E1 held in abutment against the shoe edges 10, the bottoms of those
grooves 24 are spaced a small distance from the reinforcing bases
11. For crack resistance, therefore, the depth of the grooves in
the regions E1 needs to be smaller than the depth of the grooves in
the central region E.
[0057] The reinforcing bases 11 are disposed only in the shoe edge
abutment regions E1, of the belt 4, which are held in abutment
against the shoe edges 10. Since the rigidity of the belt portions
in the shoe edge abutment regions E1 of the belt 4 is thus
partially increased, the belt 4 is increased in bending stress and
crack resistance.
[0058] According to a modification, the reinforcing bases 11 are
disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the base layer 22
to keep the grooves in the shoe edge abutment regions E1 and the
grooves in the central region E as deep as each other.
[0059] According to another modification, the reinforcing bases 11
are disposed on both the outer and inner circumferential surfaces
of the base layer 22 to further partially increase the rigidity of
the belt portions in the shoe edge abutment regions E1
corresponding respectively to the shoe edges 10 on the opposite
sides in the widthwise direction of the shoe. Therefore, the belt 4
is further increased in bending stress and crack resistance.
[0060] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of a grid member 30 of
the belt 4.
[0061] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the reinforcing bases 11 comprise
grid members 30 made up of a grid-shaped combination of a plurality
of warp yarns 31a and a plurality of weft yarns 31b. In the grid
members 30, the warp yarns 31a and the weft yarns 31b lie over and
under each other in a grid pattern and are joined to each other at
crossings 31c. However, the grid members 30 are not of a woven
structure.
[0062] Prior to attachment, the grid member 30 is in the form of a
roll of a terminated web having a width in the range from 0.5 m to
1.0 m. For attachment, the terminated grid member 30 is reeled out
straight from the roll, and arranged as a plurality of juxtaposed
webs spaced along the axis of a mandrel M.
[0063] The base layer 22 comprises a main body 27 made up of a grid
member 30, a reinforcing base 11 made up of a grid member 30, and a
yarn-wound layer 33 disposed on the outer circumferential surface
of the grid member 30 and made up of a helically wound yarn 32.
[0064] The reinforcing base 11 and the main body 27 may be made up
of an endless woven fabric. According to the present embodiment,
however, the reinforcing base 11 and the main body 27 are made up
of the grid member 30 with the joined crossings 31c of the warp
yarns 31a and the weft yarns 31b. Consequently, even if stresses
concentrate on the crossings 31c of the grid member 30 when the
belt 4 is in use, the belt 4 is less liable to crack and hence has
increased crack resistance.
[0065] Since the crossings 31c are joined, the warp yarns 31a and
the weft yarns 31b are not displaced when the grid member 30 is
attached at the time the belt 4 is manufactured. As a result, the
grid member 30 can easily be attached with good efficiency.
[0066] In the grid member 30, the weft yarns 31b are less liable to
wear than the warp yarns 31a. When the belt 4 is used for a long
period of time, the joined crossings 31c of the warp yarns 31a and
the weft yarns 31b of the grid member 30 are likely to be peeled
off, causing wear between the warp yarns 31a and the weft yarns
31b. Since the weft yarns 31b are less liable to wear than the warp
yarns 31a, however, the weft yarns 31b do not wear easily,
resulting in increased mechanical strength of the belt 4 and
increased dimensional stability thereof in the weftwise
direction.
[0067] FIG. 5 is a view illustrative of a process for manufacturing
the belt 4. FIG. 5(F) is an enlarged view of a portion F shown in
FIG. 5(E). FIG. 6 is a set of views showing step 1 of forming the
shoe-side layer 21, and FIGS. 6(A), 6(B) are a side elevational
view and a perspective view, respectively.
[0068] FIG. 7 is a view showing step 2 of providing the base layer
22, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a step of placing the
grid member 30 in step 2. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a
step of providing the reinforcing base 11 in step 2.
[0069] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a step of forming
yarn-wound layer 33 in step 2. FIG. 10 is a perspective view
showing a step of joining the formed yarn-wound layer 33 in step 2.
FIG. 11 is a front elevational view showing a step of separating
the belt 4 from the mandrel M.
[0070] For manufacturing the belt 4, the mandrel M is used to form
the shoe-side layer 21, the base layer 22 and the wet paper
web-side layer 25 in the order named.
[0071] First, as shown in FIG. 5(A) and FIG. 6, in step 1, the
shoe-side layer 21 is formed on a polished surface of the mandrel
M. The surface of the mandrel M should be coated with a release
agent or a release sheet should be applied to the surface of the
mandrel M in advance. The shoe-side layer 21 is formed to a
thickness ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 mm using an applicator (e.g., a
doctor bar, a coater bar, or the like) T.
[0072] The polished surface of the mandrel M keeps smooth the
shoe-side layer 21, of the belt 4, which runs at all times in
forced contact with the shoe 3 (see FIG. 1). In addition, the
polished surface of the mandrel M allows the manufactured belt 4 to
be easily released from the mandrel M. The mandrel M should
preferably be combined with a heating device for accelerating the
curing of the resin of the shoe-side layer 21.
[0073] Then, the base layer 22 is formed on the outer
circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer 21 in step 2 shown
in FIGS. 5(B) through 5(D) and FIGS. 7 through 10. As shown in
FIGS. 5(B) and 7, the grid member 30 (FIG. 4) is attached to outer
circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer 21.
[0074] The crossings 31c of the grid member 30 have been joined by
resin bonding or a melting process. The weft yarn 31b of the grid
member 30 should preferably be made of a material which is less
liable to wear than the warp yarns 31a.
[0075] The warp yarns 31a comprise various yarns such as twisted
yarns or spun yarns made of inorganic fiber such as carbon fiber,
glass fiber, or the like, or natural fiber such as cotton, or
synthetic fiber. The synthetic fiber may be made of polyester
cotton, polyester multifilament, acrylic cotton, acrylic
multifilament, or the like.
[0076] The weft yarns 31b comprise twisted yarns of synthetic fiber
having a high modulus and a high coefficient of elasticity such as
of nylon, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), aromatic polyamide,
aromatic polyimide, high-strength polyethylene, or the like, or
polyester multifilament, or spun yarns of polyester cotton.
[0077] The grid of the grid member 30 should preferably have a
mechanical strength in the range from 50 to 250 kg/cm, and a 1%
modulus in the range from 5 to 40 kg/cm.
[0078] As shown in FIGS. 5(B) and 7, one or plural webs of grid
members 30 are disposed around the outer circumferential surface of
the shoe-side layer 21 on the mandrel M, forming the main body 27
of the base layer 22.
[0079] For placing plural grid members 30, the roll of a terminated
web having a width in the range from 0.5 m to 1.0 m referred to
above is used. For attachment, the terminated grid member 30 is
reeled out straight from the roll, and severed successively into
given lengths (lengths each identical to the width of the belt 4)
corresponding to the width of the belt 4, producing plural grid
members 30.
[0080] For increasing the mechanical strength of the belt 4, the
grid members 30 should preferably be disposed around the outer
circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer 21 such that the
weft yarns 31b of the web-like grid members 30 extend along the
axis of the mandrel M and the ends in the widthwise direction of
the grid members 30 overlap each other (FIG. 7).
[0081] The ends in the widthwise direction of the grid members 30
may be space from each other or may be held in abutment against
each other. Alternatively, one or plural webs of grid members 30
may be spirally wound around the outer circumferential surface of
the shoe-side layer 21. In such a case, the ends in the widthwise
direction of the grid members 30 may be arranged to overlap each
other for increased mechanical strength of the belt 4.
[0082] For placing the grid member 30 around the outer
circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer 21, the mandrel M is
rotated slowly and the weft yarns 31b are arranged to extend along
the axis of the mandrel M before the shoe-side layer 21 is
completely cured.
[0083] Then, as shown in FIGS. 6(C) and 8, the grid member 30 is
superposed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 27
of the base layer 22 to provide a pair of reinforcing bases 11. The
reinforcing bases 11 are disposed in the shoe edge abutment regions
E1 (FIG. 2). The reinforcing bases 11 comprise a grid member 30
which is the same as (or different from) the main body 27 of the
base layer 22. The grid member 30 of the reinforcing bases 11 may
be different from the grid member 30 of the main body 27 in a first
case wherein their grid members 30 have different meshes, a second
case wherein their grid members 30 have warp yarns 31a of different
thicknesses, a third case wherein their grid members 30 have weft
yarns 31b of different thicknesses, and a combination of two of the
first through third cases.
[0084] For producing the reinforcing bases 11, one or plural webs
of grid members 30 are disposed around the outer circumferential
surface of the main body 27 of the base layer 22 in given positions
in the shoe edge abutment regions E1 such that the weft yarns 31b
are oriented in the axial direction of the mandrel M. To increase
the mechanical strength of the belt 4, a plurality of webs of
reinforcing bases 11 are wound circumferentially a plurality of
times in the warpwise direction.
[0085] In this manner, the pair of reinforcing bases 11 are
disposed and overlapped circumferentially in the warpwise direction
in the shoe edge abutment regions E1.
[0086] Then, as shown in FIGS. 5(D) and 9, while the mandrel M is
being rotated, the yarn 32 is unreeled from one or plural bobbins
34 disposed in a yarn supply device. The yarn 32 is spirally wound
around the outer circumferential surface of the grid member 30,
producing the yarn-wound layer 33.
[0087] The yarn supply device has a moving device for moving the
bobbin 34. The moving device moves the bobbin 34 along the axis of
the mandrel M as the yarn 32 unreeled from the bobbin 34 is
helically wound into the yarn-wound layer 33.
[0088] The yarn 32 of the yarn-wound layer 33 comprises a
monofilament yarn, a multifilament yarn, or a twisted yarn thereof
which is made of synthetic fiber having a high mechanical strength,
a high modulus or a high coefficient of elasticity such as of
nylon, PET, aromatic polyamide, aromatic polyimide, high-strength
polyethylene, or the like.
[0089] If the yarn 32 comprises a multifilament yarn of nylon or
PET (7,000 dtex (decitex)), then the yarn 32 should preferably be
spirally wound in a range from 10 yarns/(5 cm) through 50 yarns/(5
cm). If the yarn 32 comprises a multifilament yarn of aromatic
polyamide (3,000 dtex), the yarn 32 should preferably be spirally
wound in a range from 15 yarns/(5 cm) through 60 yarns/(5 cm). The
yarn 32 should preferably have a mechanical strength in a range
from 100 kg/cm to 300 kg/cm.
[0090] In this manner, the base layer 22, which is disposed
entirely on the outer circumferential surface of the shoe-side
layer 21, is constructed. The base layer 22 has the main body 27
comprising the grid member 30, the reinforcing bases 11 comprising
the grid member 30, and the yarn-wound layer 33 disposed around the
outer circumferential surface of the grid members 30.
[0091] The entire outer circumferential surface of the grid members
30, which make up the main body 27 and the reinforcing bases 11 of
the base layer 22, is tightened by the yarn-wound layer 33. As a
result, the grid members 30 are stably positioned on the entire
outer circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer 21, and the
mechanical strength of the belt 4 in the warpwise direction (the MD
direction) is increased.
[0092] According to the present invention, either one of the
process of attaching the grid member 30 to the entire
circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer 21, and the process
of attaching the grid members 30 to given regions circumferentially
in the warpwise direction to produce the pair of reinforcing bases
11 may be carried out first. Each of the grid members 30 may be in
a single layer (one layer) or a plurality of layers.
[0093] If each of the grid members 30 is in a plurality of layers,
then the portions in which the ends in the widthwise direction of
the grid members overlap each other (or the portions in which the
ends are spaced from each other or are held in abutment against
each other) should preferably be not disposed in the same position
across a plurality of layers. With this structure, the base layer
22 has no unwanted undulations.
[0094] In this manner, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the base layer
22 is constructed by forming the yarn-wound layer 33 on the entire
outer circumferential surface of the grid members 30. Thereafter,
while the mandrel M is being rotated, the base layer 22 is coated
with a resin. The resin should preferably be a resin having such a
viscosity that it enters the gaps between the grid members 30 of
the base layer 22 and the yarn-wound layer 33 to close and fill the
gaps.
[0095] In the above embodiment, the single-layer grid member 30 is
disposed around the outer circumferential surface of the shoe-side
layer 21 to produce the main body 27, and the grid members 30
serving as the pair of reinforcing bases 11 are disposed on
portions of the outer circumferential surface of the main body 27,
after which the yarn-wound layer 33 is disposed on the entire outer
circumferential surface. The base layer may rather be formed
according to various methods shown below (Case 1) through (Case 4),
or according to modifications and inventive examples to be
described below.
[0096] (Case 1) First, a yarn-would layer 33 is formed, thereafter
a grid member 30 is formed on the entire circumferential surface of
the yarn-would layer 33 to form a main body 27, and then grid
members 30 serving as a pair of reinforcing bases 11 are disposed
circumferentially in the warpwise direction in give regions.
[0097] (Case 2) A grid member 30 disposed on the entire
circumferential surface to form a main body 27 is provided in one
layer or a plurality of layers, and grid members 30 serving as
reinforcing bases 11 are provided in one layer or a plurality of
layers.
[0098] (Case 3) First, a yarn-would layer 33 is formed, thereafter
a grid member 30 is formed on the entire circumferential surface of
the yarn-would layer 33 to form a main body 27, then grid members
30 are disposed circumferentially in the warpwise direction in give
regions to form reinforcing bases 11, and thereafter a yarn-would
layer 33 is formed.
[0099] (Case 4) A grid member 30 is disposed on the entire
circumferential surface to form a main body 27, then a yarn-would
layer 33 is formed, thereafter grid members 30 are disposed
circumferentially in the warpwise direction in give regions to form
reinforcing bases 11, and finally a yarn-would layer 33 is
formed.
[0100] After the base layer 22 is formed, as shown in FIGS. 5(E),
5(F) and 10, step 3 of forming a wet paper web-side layer 25 (FIG.
3) and forming a plurality of grooves 24 each having a rectangular
cross section is carried out.
[0101] The base layer 22 is impregnated with a resin for forming a
wet paper web-side layer 25 on the yarn-wound layer 33. Since the
resin of the wet paper web-side layer 25 reaches the outer
circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer 21, the shoe-side
layer 21, the wet paper web-side layer 25 and the base layer 22 are
joined together into an integral assembly. For forming the wet
paper web-side layer 25 of the resin, it is deposited to a
predetermined thickness using a doctor bar 35. If necessary, the
shoe-side layer 21 and the wet paper web-side layer 25 should
preferably be joined with increased strength using a primer, an
adhesive, or the like.
[0102] The shoe-side layer 21 and the wet paper web-side layer 25
are preferably made of a polyurethane resin, but may be made of
rubber, elastomer, or the like. The polyurethane resin should
preferably be a thermosetting urethane resin for its properties,
and have a hardness in a range from 80 to 98 (JIS-A). The hardness
of the shoe-side layer 21 and the hardness of the wet paper
web-side layer 25 may be the same as or different from each
other.
[0103] After the resin is cured with heat, the surface is polished.
Thereafter, a plurality of grooves 24 are formed in the warpwise
direction in the surface 23 of the wet paper web-side layer 25. In
this manner, the belt 4 is formed on the surface of the mandrel
M.
[0104] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11, the belt 4 is separated
from the mandrel M using a jig 36. If the surface of the mandrel M
is coated with a release agent or a release sheet is applied to the
surface of the mandrel M in advance, then the belt 4 can easily be
separated from the mandrel M.
[0105] At this time, an end of the belt 4 is fixed to a ring of the
jig 36 which has a diameter greater than the mandrel M, and the
ring is made separable from the mandrel M. In this manner, the belt
4 can easily be separated from the mandrel M.
[0106] Various modifications of the present embodiment will be
described below with reference to FIGS. 12 through 15.
[0107] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3,
showing a belt 4a for a shoe press according to a first
modification. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to
FIG. 2, showing a shoe press mechanism 1a employing a belt 4b for a
shoe press according to a second modification. FIG. 14 is a
cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a belt 4c for
a shoe press according to a third modification. FIG. 15 is a
cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a belt 4d for
a shoe press according to a fourth modification.
[0108] Those parts which are identical or correspond to those
according to the above embodiment are denoted by identical
reference characters and will not be described below, and only
different parts will be described below.
[0109] In FIGS. 12 through 15, belts 4a through 4d for a shoe press
according to the first through fourth modifications are disposed
for rotational movement between a press roll 2 of a shoe press
mechanism and a shoe 3 below (or above) the press roll 2. The belts
4a through 4d for a shoe press comprise a shoe-side layer 21 held
in contact with the shoe 3, a base layer 22 (or 22a) disposed on an
outer circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer 21, and a wet
paper web-side layer 25 disposed on an outer circumferential
surface of the base layer 22 (or 22a). The wet paper web-side layer
25 has a plurality of grooves 24, for discharging water, which are
defined in a surface 23 thereof and are extend in the warpwise
direction (the MD direction).
[0110] The base layer 22 (or 22a) has a pair of reinforcing bases
11 (or 11a). The reinforcing bases 11 (or 11a) are disposed in
given regions corresponding respectively to the shoe edges 10 on
the opposite sides in the widthwise direction of the shoe 3, and
extend circumferentially in the warpwise direction. The base layer
22 (or 22a) thus constructed operates in the same way and offers
the same advantages as with the above embodiment.
[0111] In the belts 4a through 4d for a shoe press, the reinforcing
bases 11, 11a comprise grid members 30. The base layer 22 (or 22a)
comprises a main body 27 made up of a grid member 30, a reinforcing
base 11 (or 11a) made up of the grid member 30, and a yarn-wound
layer 33 disposed on the outer (or inner) circumferential surface
of the grid member 30 and made up of a helically wound yarn 32. The
base layer 22 (or 22a) thus constructed operates in the same way
and offers the same advantages as with the above embodiment.
[0112] In the belt 4a for a shot press shown in FIG. 12, the
reinforcing bases 11 of the base layer 22a are disposed on the
inner circumferential surface of the base layer 22a. After the
shoe-side layer 21 is formed, grid members 30 are disposed around
the outer circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer 21
circumferentially in the warpwise direction in given regions (in
the present modification, the shoe edge abutment regions E1)
corresponding respectively to the shoe edges 10 on the opposite
sides in the widthwise direction of the shoe 3, thereby forming the
reinforcing bases 11.
[0113] In other words, before a grid member 30 serving as the main
body 27 of the base layer 22a is placed on the entire
circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer 21, other grid
members 30 are placed circumferentially to form the reinforcing
bases 11. In this manner, the grooves 24 in the shoe edge abutment
regions E1 and the grooves in the central region E are made as deep
as each other.
[0114] In the belt 4b for a shoe press for use in the shoe press
mechanism 1a shown in FIG. 13, reinforcing bases 11a included in
the base layer 22 are disposed in given regions (in the present
modification, both the shoe edge abutment regions E1 and the end
regions E2 including the ends 9 in the weftwise direction of the
belt 4b for a shoe press).
[0115] With this structure, the rigidity of the belt 4b for a shoe
press is increased in both the shoe edge abutment regions E1 and
the end regions E2.
[0116] Therefore, the bending stress and crack resistance of the
belt 4b for a shoe press are further increased in portions which
extend outwardly from the shoe edges 10 on the opposite sides in
the widthwise direction of the shoe 3. As a result, bending
deformations are more effectively suppressed, and cracking is also
prevented from occurring.
[0117] In the belt 4c for a shoe press shown in FIG. 14, the
grooves 24 defined in the warpwise direction in the surface 23 of
the wet paper web-side layer 25 have a curved (e.g., arcuate)
cross-sectional shape.
[0118] If there are edges on the inner circumferential surfaces of
the grooves, then bending stresses concentrate on the edges,
tending to cause cracking. According to the present modification,
there are no edges on the inner circumferential surfaces of the
grooves 24 which are positioned near the shoe edges 10. As a
consequence, even when the belt 4c for a shoe press is bent under
shearing stresses, no bending stresses concentrate on the inner
circumferential surfaces of the grooves 24. Therefore, the belt 4c
has further increased crack resistance.
[0119] In the belt 4c for a shoe press, of the grooves 24 defined
in the belt 4c, the grooves 24 which are positioned near the shoe
edges 10 are of a curved cross-sectional shape. However, all the
grooves 24 may be of a curved cross-sectional shape.
[0120] In the belt 4d for a shoe press shown in FIG. 15, the
grooves 24 are defined in the warpwise direction in the surface of
the wet paper web-side layer 25. The grooves 24 are not defined in
the shoe edge abutment regions E1 on the opposite sides in the
widthwise direction of the shoe 3, but are defined in other
portions than the shoe edge abutment regions E1.
[0121] Since the belt 4d for a shoe press is driven to rotate as
the press roll 2 is actuated, its bending deformation becomes
greatest in the vicinity of the shoe edges 10. The belt 4d for a
shoe press has no grooves 24 in the vicinity of the shoe edges 10.
Therefore, in the vicinity of the shoe edges 10, no crack is caused
in grooves and the rigidity is increased. The belt 4d for a shoe
press thus has increased durability.
[0122] Although no grooves 24 are defined in the vicinity of the
shoe edges 10, as no wet paper web is disposed in those regions,
the function to discharge water is not adversely affected, and no
problem arises with respect to the water squeezing capability of
the shoe press mechanism.
Inventive Examples
[0123] Specific inventive examples 1 through 5 and comparative
example 1 of the belts for a shoe press according to the present
invention which are constructed as described above were
produced.
Inventive Example 1
[0124] Step 1: The polished surface of a mandrel having a diameter
of 1,500 mm, rotatable by a drive means, was coated with a release
agent (KS-61: manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) in
advance. Then, while the mandrel was being rotated, the surface of
the mandrel was coated with a thermosetting urethane resin to a
thickness of 1 mm, using a doctor bar. The mandrel was then left to
stand at the room temperature for 10 minutes.
[0125] The thermosetting urethane resin comprised a mixture of a
TDI prepolymer (TAKENATE L2395 [manufactured by Takeda
Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.]) and a curing agent containing DMTDA
(ETHACURE 300 [manufactured by Albemarle Corp.]) with an H/NCO
equivalent ratio of 0.97. ETHACURE 300 is a mixture of
3,5-dimethylthio2,4-toluenediamine and
3,5-dimethylthio2,6-toluenediamine.
[0126] Then, the thermosetting urethane resin was cured by being
heated at 70.degree. C. for 30 minutes by a heating device attached
to the mandrel, forming a shoe-side layer.
[0127] Step 2: A grid member (a weft density of 4 yarns/cm and a
warp density of 1 yarn/cm) was prepared. The grid member was made
of weft yarns comprising twisted multifilament yarns of PET fiber
having 5,000 dtex and warp yarns comprising twisted multifilament
yarns of PET fiber having 500 dtex. The warp yarns were sandwiched
by the weft yarns, with crossings of the warp and weft yarns being
filled by an urethane resin adhesive.
[0128] A plurality of webs of the grid member were placed in one
layer around the entire outer circumferential surface of the
shoe-side layer such that the weft yarns extend along the axis of
the mandrel and the webs of the grid member have widthwise ends
held in abutment against each other, thereby forming a main body of
a base layer.
[0129] Grid members were further placed around the outer
circumferential surface of the grid member, forming reinforcing
bases. The grid members serving as the reinforcing bases were of a
structure different from the grid member serving as the main body
of the base layer. Specifically, the grid members serving as the
reinforcing bases were made of weft and warp yarns comprising
twisted multifilament yarns of PET fiber having 500 dtex. The warp
yarns were sandwiched by the weft yarns, with crossings of the warp
and weft yarns being filled by an urethane resin adhesive. Each of
the weft density and the warp density was 4.5 yarns/cm.
[0130] The grid members were wound twice circumferentially in the
warpwise direction. Specifically, the grid members were wound in
two layers in the direction in which the mandrel is rotated and
placed in only the shoe edge abutment regions E1 of the belt, such
that the weft yarns of the grid members extend along the axis of
the mandrel. In this manner, reinforcing bases of the base layer
were formed.
[0131] Then, multifilament yarns of PET fiber having 7,000 dtex
were spirally wound at a pitch of 30 yarns/5 cm around the outer
circumferential surface of the grid members so that a yarn-wound
layer is formed. Thereafter, the yarn-wound layer was coated with a
resin such that the resin enters and closes the gaps between the
grid members of the base layer and the yarn-wound layer, thereby
completing the base layer.
[0132] Step 3: The yarn-wound layer of the base layer was
impregnated and coated with a thermosetting urethane resin, which
was used as the resin of the shoe-side layer, to a thickness of 5.5
mm. The thermosetting urethane resin was then cured by being heated
at 100.degree. C. for 5 hours, thereby forming a wet paper web-side
layer.
[0133] Thereafter, the surface of the wet paper web-side layer was
polished to adjust the entire thickness of the belt to about 5.0
mm. Then, grooves having a rectangular cross section were formed in
the belt in the warpwise direction (the MD direction) by a rotary
blade, thereby forming a belt for a shoe press according to the
present invention.
Inventive Example 2
[0134] In step 2 according to inventive example 1, a plurality of
webs of the grid member (of the same material of the grid member
serving as the main body of the base layer in step 2 according to
inventive example 1) were placed in one layer around the entire
outer circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer such that the
weft yarns extend along the axis of the mandrel and the webs of the
grid member have widthwise ends held in abutment against each
other, thereby forming a main body of a base layer.
[0135] Grid members were further placed around the outer
circumferential surface of the grid member, forming reinforcing
bases. The grid members serving as the reinforcing bases were of a
structure different from the grid member serving as the main body
of the base layer. Specifically, the grid members serving as the
reinforcing bases were made of weft and warp yarns comprising
twisted multifilament yarns of PET fiber having 500 dtex. The warp
yarns were sandwiched by the weft yarns, with crossings of the warp
and weft yarns being filled by an urethane resin adhesive. Each of
the weft density and the warp density was 4.5 yarns/cm.
[0136] The grid members were wound twice circumferentially in the
warpwise direction. Specifically, the grid members were wound in
two layers in the direction in which the mandrel is rotated and
placed in both the shoe edge abutment regions E1 and the end
regions E2 of the belt, such that the weft yarns of the grid
members extend along the axis of the mandrel. In this manner,
reinforcing bases were formed. Then, a yarn-wound layer was formed
on the outer circumferential surface of the reinforcing bases in
the same manner as with step 2 according to inventive example 1,
thereby completing the base layer.
[0137] In step 2 according to inventive example 2, a plurality of
webs of the grid member may be placed in two layers around the
outer circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer such that the
weft yarns extend along the axis of the mandrel and the webs of the
grid member have widthwise ends overlapping each other, thereby
forming a main body of a base layer.
Inventive Example 3
[0138] In step 2 according to inventive example 1, a yarn is
spirally wound around the outer circumferential surface of the
shoe-side layer. Thereafter, one web of the grid member (of the
same material of the grid member serving as the main body of the
base layer in step 2 according to inventive example 1) was placed
in one layer such that the web of the grid member has widthwise
ends held in abutment against each other, thereby forming a main
body of a base layer.
[0139] Grid members were further placed around the outer
circumferential surface of the grid member, forming reinforcing
bases. The grid members serving as the reinforcing bases were of a
structure different from the grid member serving as the main body
of the base layer. Specifically, the grid members serving as the
reinforcing bases were made of weft and warp yarns comprising
twisted multifilament yarns of PET fiber having 500 dtex. The warp
yarns were sandwiched by the weft yarns, with crossings of the warp
and weft yarns being filled by an urethane resin adhesive. Each of
the weft density and the warp density was 4.5 yarns/cm.
[0140] The grid members were wound twice circumferentially in the
warpwise direction. Specifically, the grid members were wound in
two layers in the direction in which the mandrel is rotated and
placed in only the shoe edge abutment regions E1 of the belt, such
that the weft yarns of the grid members extend along the axis of
the mandrel. In this manner, reinforcing bases were formed. Then, a
yarn-wound layer was formed on the outer circumferential surface of
the reinforcing bases, thereby completing the base layer.
Inventive Example 4
[0141] In step 2 according to inventive example 1, a yarn is
spirally wound around the outer circumferential surface of the
shoe-side layer. Thereafter, one web of the grid member (of the
same material of the grid member serving as the main body of the
base layer in step 2 according to inventive example 1) was placed
in one layer such that the web of the grid member has widthwise
ends held in abutment against each other, thereby forming a main
body of a base layer.
[0142] Grid members were further placed around the outer
circumferential surface of the grid member, forming reinforcing
bases. The grid members serving as the reinforcing bases were of a
structure different from the grid member serving as the main body
of the base layer. Specifically, the grid members serving as the
reinforcing bases were made of weft and warp yarns comprising
twisted multifilament yarns of PET fiber having 500 dtex. The warp
yarns were sandwiched by the weft yarns, with crossings of the warp
and weft yarns being filled by an urethane resin adhesive. Each of
the weft density and the warp density was 4.5 yarns/cm.
[0143] The grid members were wound twice circumferentially in the
warpwise direction. Specifically, the grid members were wound in
two layers in the direction in which the mandrel is rotated and
placed in both the shoe edge abutment regions E1 and the end
regions E2 of the belt, such that the weft yarns of the grid
members extend along the axis of the mandrel. In this manner,
reinforcing bases were formed. Then, a yarn-wound layer was formed
on the outer circumferential surface of the reinforcing bases,
thereby completing the base layer.
Inventive example 5
[0144] In step 3 according to inventive example 1, grooves having a
substantially rectangular shape and groove bottoms of an arcuate
cross-sectional shape were formed in the warpwise direction (the MD
direction) of the belt by a rotary blade, thereby forming a belt
for a shoe press according to the present invention.
Comparative Example 1
[0145] In step 2 according to inventive example 1, a plurality of
webs of the grid member were placed around the outer
circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer. Specifically, the
grid member was placed in one layer around the outer
circumferential surface of the shoe-side layer such that the weft
yarns extend along the axis of the mandrel and the webs of the grid
member have widthwise ends held in abutment against each other.
Then, a yarn-wound layer was formed around the outer
circumferential surface, thereby forming a base layer. The belt for
a shoe press according to comparative example 1 has no reinforcing
bases.
[0146] Table 1 shown below indicate crack resistance and bending
stresses of the belts for a shoe press according to inventive
examples 1 through 6 and comparative example 1.
[Evaluation of Physical Properties]
[0147] Samples of the belts for a shoe press thus constructed were
measured for physical properties to obtain the data shown in Table
1. The samples were extracted in rectangular shapes such that the
boundary between the shoe edge abutment regions E1 and the end
regions E2 was positioned substantially centrally in the samples,
and the rectangular samples were used as objects to be measured for
physical properties. Crack resistance and bending stresses
(rigidity) were measured according to the following method:
(1) Crack Resistance:
[0148] FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an experimental apparatus for
checking crack resistance (shown in Table 1) and wear property
(shown in Table 2).
[0149] For measuring crack resistance using the experimental
apparatus, a sample S of the belt for a shoe press was produced by
cutting the belt for a shoe press in a transverse direction (a
direction perpendicular to the grooves), and both ends of the
sample S were secured by clamp hands 51, 51 (FIG. 16).
[0150] The sample S is sandwiched between a rotary roll 52 and a
press shoe 53, and has an outer circumferential surface held in
contact with the rotary roll 52. The press shoe 53 is moved in the
direction of the rotary roll 52 as indicated by the arrow G,
pressing the sample S under a pressure of 36 kg/cm.sup.2.
[0151] With the ends of the sample S being clamped by the
respective clamp hands 51, 51, the clamp hands 51, 51 are
reciprocated to the left and right as indicated by the arrows B in
ganged relation to each other. The sample S is kept under a tension
of 3 kg/cm and is reciprocated at a speed of 40 cm/second.
[0152] The length of the sample S is adjusted such that both the
shoe edge abutment regions E1 and the end regions E2 are held
against the rotary roll 52 while the sample S is being
reciprocated.
[0153] Using the experimental device, the sample S was repeatedly
reciprocated, and the number of times that the sample S was
reciprocated until the bottoms and edges of the grooves of the
sample S cracked. Thereafter, the surfaces of ridges positioned
between the grooves in the outer circumferential surface of the
sample S were observed for the occurrence of hair cracks.
(2) Bending Stresses (Evaluation of Rigidity):
[0154] FIG. 17 is a schematic view of an experimental apparatus for
checking bending stresses. Bending stresses were measured and
rigidity was evaluated using the experimental apparatus.
[0155] Bending stresses (forces for deforming a belt in the shoe
edge abutment regions) in the thicknesswise direction of a belt for
a shoe press were measured by a three-point bending measurement
process shown in FIG. 17. A sample S of the belt for a shoe press
had a plurality of grooves extending perpendicularly to the sheet
of FIG. 17, and directions perpendicular to the grooves are shown
as left and right directions in FIG. 17.
[0156] Test conditions are as follows:
[0157] Size of the sample S: 150 mm.times.25 mm
[0158] Distance L between supports: 50 mm
[0159] Speed V at which to press the center of the sample: 50
mm/min.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Inv. Ex. 1 Inv. Ex. 2 Inv. Ex. 3 Inv. Ex. 4
Inv. Ex. 5 Com. Ex. 1 Thickness (mm) 5.0 5.2 5.0 5.2 5.0 5.0
Hardness (JIS-A) 93 93 93 93 93 93 MD cutting Strength (kg/cm) 220
230 220 230 220 220 CD cutting Strength (kg/cm) 120 140 120 140 120
100 Crack resistance-number 70~80 >100 60~70 >100 >100
30~40 of times sample was pressed until cracked (ten thousand)
Bending stresses (kg/cm) 6.9 8.9 5.9 7.3 6.9 3.5
[0160] As can be seen from Table 1, the samples S according to
inventive examples 1 through 5 have better crack resistance and
bending stresses than the sample according to comparative example
1.
[0161] According to the present invention, the base layer including
the reinforcing bases employs grid members 30. The wear property of
the grid members 30 is measured by the experimental device (FIG.
16), and the results are shown in Table 2.
[0162] The experimental device shown in FIG. 16 imparts a strong
bend to the sample S toward the press shoe 53, causing stresses due
to the bend at the crossings of the weft yarns and the warp yarns
of the grid member. The sample S includes the grid member and the
yarn-wound layer near the rotary roll 52, and stresses due to the
bend in the grid member and the yarn-wound layer are not so large.
The experimental device is capable of checking the degree of wear
on the crossings of the weft yarns and the warp yarns of the grid
member.
[0163] Using the experimental device, inventive examples 1a through
3a and comparative example 1a were experimented up to a
reciprocating count of 500,000, and were measured for cutting
strengths in the warpwise and weftwise directions of the samples S
after the experiment to observe the wear properties of the grid
members of the samples S. The samples S were subjected to a tension
of 3 kg/cm, a pressure of 36 kg/cm.sup.2, and moved at a speed of
40 cm/second.
[0164] The cutting strengths of inventive examples 1a through 3a
and comparative example 1a and the wear properties of the grid
members thereof are shown in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Rate of change Rate of change of tensile
stress of tensile stress after experiment after experiment
(warpwise (weftwise Observation of wear Grid member warp yarns Grid
member weft yarns direction) direction) property of grid members
Inv. Ex. 1a Spun yarns of polyester Twisted multifilament 30% 80%
Warp yarn wear (large) cotton with 5000 dtex yarns of polyester
with Weft yarn wear (small) (one yarn/cm) 5000 dtex (four yarns/cm)
Inv. Ex. 2a Spun yarns of cotton Spun yarns of polyester 20% 90%
Warp yarn wear (large) with 5000 dtex cotton with 5000 dtex Weft
yarn wear (small) (one yarn/cm) (four yarns/cm) Inv. Ex. 3a Twisted
multifilament Twisted multifilament 40% 60% Warp yarn wear (medium)
yarns of polyester with yarns of polyester with Weft yarn wear
(medium) 500 dtex (one yarn/cm) 1000 dtex (four yarns/cm) Com. Ex.
1a Twisted multifilament Twisted multifilament 70% 30% Warp yarn
wear (small) yarns of polyester with yarns of polyester with Weft
yarn wear (large) 1000 dtex (one yarn/cm) 1000 dtex (four yarns/cm)
Rate of change of tensile stresses after experiment - the cutting
strength measured by INSTRON tensile tester Rate of change (%) =
(cutting strength after experiment/cutting strength before
experiment) .times. 100
[0165] It can be seen from Table 2 that since the weft yarns of the
grid members according to inventive examples 1a through 3a are less
liable to wear than the warp yarns, the wear resistance of the weft
yarns is better than with comparative example 1a.
[0166] In the grid members according to inventive examples 1a
through 3a, the warp yarns which cross the weft yarns are more
likely to wear than the weft yarns, the warp yarns are caused to
wear preferentially when the samples S are bent to cause wear on
the crossings of the weft and warp yarns during the experiment. As
a result, damage to the weft yarns is reduced, keeping the cutting
strength thereof to maintain dimensional stability in the weftwise
direction (the CMD direction) of the belt for a shoe press.
[0167] As described above, the grid members 30 used in the base
layer are less rigid and softer than woven fabrics because the grid
members 30 are not woven. Accordingly, the belt for a shoe press
which employs the grid members 30 in the base layer is flexible
when it is driven to rotate as the press roll 2 is actuated.
Particularly, bending deformations of the belt portions in the shoe
edge abutment regions E1 are the greatest.
[0168] In the belts 4, 4a through 4d for a shoe press according to
the present invention, the reinforcing bases 11, ha are disposed in
only the shoe edge abutment regions E1 or both the shoe edge
abutment regions E1 and the end regions E2, providing the base
layers 22, 22a.
[0169] In the base layers 22, 22a, therefore, the rigidity of
portions in which greatest bending deformations are likely to occur
(belt portions in the shoe edge abutment regions E1) is partially
increased.
[0170] As a consequence, the bending stresses of the belts 4, 4a
through 4d for a shoe press are increased to suppress bending
deformations, and the crack resistance is increased to prevent
cracking, so that the belts 4, 4a through 4d for a shoe press are
increased in durability.
[0171] While the embodiments (including modifications and inventive
examples) have been described above, the present invention is not
limited to the above embodiments, but various changes and additions
may be made within the scope of the invention.
[0172] Identical reference characters denote identical or
corresponding parts throughout views.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0173] The belt for a shoe press according to the present invention
is applicable to a shoe press mechanism of a papermaking machine,
particularly a press-sleeve-type shoe press mechanism.
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